• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.312-316
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• 2002

Satellite radar interferometry data shows a strong coherent signal on oyster sea farms where artificial structures installed on the bottom. We obtained 21 highly coherent interferograms from eleven JERS-1 SAR data sets despite of large orbital baseline (~2 km) or large temporal baseline (~l year). The phases observed in sea farms are probably induced by double bouncing on sea surface, and consequently reveal a tide height variation. To restore the absolute sea level changes we counted the number of wrapping by exploiting the intensity of backscattering. Backscattering intensity is closely correlated with the change in water surface height, while interferometry gives the detailed variation within the limit of 2$\pi$ (or 15.3 cm). Comparing the radar measurements with the tide gauge records yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.96 and an ms error of 6.0 cm. The results demostrate that radar interferometry is promising to measure sea level.

• Geosciences Journal
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1069-1080
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• 2018

The Alaskan Aleutian Islands form one of the world's largest volcanic island chains. The islands are exposed to both direct and indirect damage from continuous volcanic eruptions. Surface deformation is mostly observed before volcanic eruption, but with some volcanoes, such as Ontake Volcano, deformations cannot be detected. In this study, we analyzed volcanic eruptions in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands, which is a region of frequent volcanic eruptions. Based on our results, we predicted the type of eruption that would occur on Baekdusan Volcano according to the presence or absence of surface deformation. For this purpose, 10 sites were selected from areas where recent volcanic activity had occurred in the Aleutian Islands. Additionally, Advanced Land Observing Satellite Phased Array-type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS-PALSAR) and European Remote Sensing (ERS)-1/2 satellite data were obtained from 10 experimental sites. Based on the radar satellite data, the volcanic surface deformations were identified, and the characteristics of the volcanic eruption were quantitatively calculated by determining the presence of surface deformation. The results of this study should facilitate the process of correlation between volcanic eruption and surface deformation.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 1999.11a
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• pp.158-164
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• 1999

This paper investigated and evaluated the NASA's Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C) multiple frequency SAR data for differential backscattering effects of microwave from the surface geological materials overlying the skarn type mineralization. Although an integrated approach in mineral exploration is more cost effective and is well in use, there are still many technical and scientific issues to be further investigated and researched. In this study we have reprocessed several sets of previously surveyed exploration data and experimented with fuzzy logic digital fusion of the preprocessed data with respect to chosen exploration targets. Among the numerous fuzzy logic operators, which are currently available for a data driven integrated exploration strategy, we used varying combinations of fuzzy MIN, fuzzy MAX, and fuzzy SUM operators along with Gamma operator for fusion of exploration data, including the contact metamorphic zone information. The final exploration target tested was a skarn type W-Mo-F mineralization in the study area. The fuzzy logic derived mineral potential anomaly almost exactly matched the differential backscattering anomalies on the C-band and L-band SIR_C data when overlaid on each other. Although this high degree of correlation between these two data sets is remarkable, the differential backscattering anomaly over the skarn type W-Mo-F mineralization in the study area requires further investigation.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.441-444
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• 2008

This paper describes the development of a circularly polarized microstrip antenna, as a part of the Circularly Polarized Synthetic Aperture Radar (CP-SAR) sensor which is currently under developed at the Microwave Remote Sensing Laboratory (MRSL) in Chiba University. CP-SAR is a new type of sensor developed for the purpose of remote sensing. With this sensor, lower-noise data/image will be obtained due to the absence of depolarization problems from propagation encounter in linearly polarized synthetic aperture radar. As well the data/images obtained will be investigated as the Axial Ratio Image (ARI), which is a new data that hopefully will reveal unique various backscattering characteristics. The sensor will be mounted on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) which will be aimed for fundamental research and applications. The microstrip antenna works in the frequency of 1.27 GHz (L-Band). The microstrip antenna utilized the proximity-coupled method of feeding. Initially, the optimization process of the single patch antenna design involving modifying the microstrip line feed to yield a high gain (above 5 dBi) and low return loss (below -10 dB). A minimum of 10 MHz bandwidth is targeted at below 3 dB of Axial Ratio for the circularly polarized antenna. A planar array from the single patch is formed next. Consideration for the array design is the beam radiation pattern in the azimuth and elevation plane which is specified based on the electrical and mechanical constraints of the UAV CP-SAR system. This research will contribute in the field of radar for remote sensing technology. The potential application is for landcover, disaster monitoring, snow cover, and oceanography mapping.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.38 no.5_1
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• pp.447-460
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• 2022

It is well known that satellite synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) has been widely used for the observation of surface displacement owing to earthquakes, volcanoes, and subsidence very precisely. In wetlands where vegetation exists on the surface of the water, it is possible to create a water level change map with high spatial resolution over a wide area using the InSAR technique. Currently, a number of imaging radar satellites are in operation, and most of them support a ScanSAR mode observation to gather information over a large area at once. The Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM) wetland, located in northern Colombia, is a vast wetland developed along the Caribbean coast. The CGSM wetlands face serious environmental threats from human activities such as reclamation for agricultural uses and residential purposes as well as natural causes such as sea level rise owing to climate change. Various restoration and protection plans have been conducted to conserve these invaluable environments in recognition of the ecological importance of the CGSM wetlands. Monitoring of water level changes in wetland is very important resources to understand the hydrologic characteristics and the in-situ water level gauge stations are usually utilized to measure the water level. Although it can provide very good temporal resolution of water level information, it is limited to fully understand flow pattern owing to its very coarse spatial resolution. In this study, we evaluate the L-band ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 ScanSAR mode to observe the water level change over the wide wetland area using the radar interferometric technique. In order to assess the quality of the interferometric product in the aspect of spatial resolution and coherence, we also utilized ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 stripmap high-resolution mode observations.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

This study describes measurements of fast ice recorded on May 23, 2009, in Kongsfjorden (translated as 'Kongs Fjord'), an inlet on the west coast of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago. Seasonal fast ice is an important feature for Svalbard fjords, both in relation to their physical environment and also the local ecosystem, since it grows seaward from the coast and remains in place throughout the winter. Ice thickness, snow, ice properties, and wind speed were measured, while SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data was observed simultaneously observed two times from ALOS-PALSAR (L-band). Measured ice thickness was about 25-35 cm while the thickness of ice floe broken from fast ice was measured as 10-15 cm. Average salinity was 1.9-2.0 ppt during the melting period. Polarimetric data was used to extract H/A/alpha-angle parameters of fast ice, ice floe, snow and glacier, which was classified into 18 classes based on these parameters. It was established that the area of fast ice represents surface scattering which indicates low and medium entropy surface scatters such as Bragg and random surfaces, while fast ice covered with snow belongs to a zone of low entropy surface scattering similar to snow-covered land surfaces. The results of this study will contribute to various interpretations of interrelationships between H/A/alpha parameters and the wave scattering Phenomenon of sea ice.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.117-126
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• 2018

This study aims to evaluate the usability of polarimetric SAR measurements for discriminating water-covered area from other land cover types and to propose polarimetric parameters showing the better response to the flood. Flood-related changes in the polarimetric parameters were studied using the L-band PALSAR-2 quad-pol mode data acquired before and after the severe flood events occurred in Joso city, Japan. The experimental results showed that, among various polarimetric parameters, the HH-polarization intensity, the Shannon entropy, and the surfaces scattering component of model-based decomposition were found to be useful to discriminate water-covered areas from other land cover types. Particularly, an unsupervised change detection with the Shannon entropy provides the best result for an automated mapping of flood extents.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• v.1
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• pp.7-10
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• 2006

Four programs, i.e. TRMM, ADEOS2, ASTER, and ALOS are going on in Japanese Earth Observation programs. TRMM and ASTER are operating well, and TRMM operation will be continued to 2009. ADEOS2 was failed, but AMSR-E on Aqua is operating. ALOS (Advanced Land Observing Satellite) was successfully launched on $24^{th}$ Jan. 2006. ALOS carries three instruments, i.e., PRISM (Panchromatic Remote Sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping), AVNIR-2 (Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer), and PALSAR (Phased Array L band Synthetic Aperture Radar). PRISM is a 3 line panchromatic push broom scanner with 2.5m IFOV. AVNIR-2 is a 4 channel multi spectral scanner with 10m IFOV. PALSAR is a full polarimetric active phased array SAR. PALSAR has many observation modes including full polarimetric mode and scan SAR mode. After the unfortunate accident of ADEOS2, JAXA still have plans of Earth observation programs. Next generation satellites will be launched in 2008-2012 timeframe. They are GOSAT (Greenhouse Gas Observation Satellite), GCOM-W and GCOM-C (ADEOS-2 follow on), and GPM (Global Precipitation Mission) core satellite. GOSAT will carry 2 instruments, i.e. a green house gas sensor and a cloud/aerosol imager. The main sensor is a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) and covers 0.76 to 15 ${\mu}m$ region with 0.2 to 0.5 $cm^{-1}$ resolution. GPM is a joint project with NASA and will carry two instruments. JAXA will develop DPR (Dual frequency Precipitation Radar) which is a follow on of PR on TRMM. Another project is EarthCare. It is a joint project with ESA and JAXA is going to provide CPR (Cloud Profiling Radar). Discussions on future Earth Observation programs have been started including discussions on ALOS F/O.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.6_1
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• pp.1657-1667
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• 2021

Anthropogenic activities and natural processes have been causes of land subsidence which is sudden sinking or gradual settlement of the earth's solid surface. Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, is one of the most severe land subsidence areas which are resulted from excessive groundwater extraction. Because groundwater is the primary water resource occupies almost 70% of total water usage in the city. Traditional terrestrial observations like the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or leveling survey have been preferred to measure land subsidence accurately. Although the GNSS observations have highly accurate information of the surfaces' displacement with a very high temporal resolution, it has often been limited due to its sparse spatial resolution and highly time-consuming and high cost. However, space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry has been widely used as a powerful tool to monitor surfaces' displacement with high spatial resolution and high accuracy from mm to cm-scale, regardless of day-or-night and weather conditions. In this paper, advanced interferometric approaches have been applied to get a time-series of land subsidence of Mexico City using four-year-long twenty ALOS PALSAR L-band observations acquired from Feb-11, 2007 to Feb-22, 2011. We utilized persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI) and small baseline subset (SBAS) techniques to suppress atmospheric artifacts and topography errors. The results show that the maximum subsidence rates of the PSI and SBAS method were -29.5 cm/year and -27.0 cm/year, respectively. In addition, we discuss the different subsidence rates where the study area is discriminated into three districts according to distinctive geotechnical characteristics. The significant subsidence rate occurred in the lacustrine sediments with higher compressibility than harder bedrock.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.34 no.6_4
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• pp.1479-1488
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• 2018

On September 3rd 2017, strong artificial seismic signals from North Korea were detected in KMA (Korea Meteorological Administration) seismic network. The location of the epicenter was estimated to be Punggye-ri nuclear test site and it was the most powerful to date. The event was not studied well due to accessibility and geodetic measurements. Therefore, we used remote sensing data to analyze surface changes around Mt. Mantap area. First of all, we tried to detect surface deformation using InSAR method with Advanced Land Observation Satellite-2 (ALOS-2). Even though ALOS-2 data used L-band long wavelength, it was not working well for this particular case because of decorrelation on interferogram. The main reason would be large deformation near the Mt. Mantap area. To overcome this limitation of decorrelation, we applied offset tracking method to measure deformation. However, this method is affected by window kernel size. So we applied various window sizes from 32 to 224 in 16 steps. We could retrieve 2D surface deformation of about 3 m in maximum in the west side of Mt. Mantap. Second, we used Pleiadas-A/B high resolution satellite optical images which were acquired before and after the 6th nuclear test. We detected widespread surface damage around the top of Mt. Mantap such as landslide and suspected collapse area. This phenomenon may be caused by a very strong underground nuclear explosion test. High-resolution satellite images could be used to analyze non-accessible area.